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Hairawn Muhly

Hairawn Muhly

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Hairawn Muhly in fall

Hairawn Muhly in fall

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Hairawn Muhly flowers

Hairawn Muhly flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Other Names:  Gulf Muhly

Description:

A mounding grass with gray-green foliage, airy plumes of minute white flowers give way to a dazzling late summer effect of rosy-pink seed pods that give a sense of pink fluffy clouds, breathtaking planted in masses

Ornamental Features

Hairawn Muhly is draped in stunning plumes of white flowers with rose overtones rising above the foliage from late summer to early fall. The rose seed heads are carried on showy plumes displayed in abundance from early to late fall. Its grassy leaves remain grayish green in color throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Hairawn Muhly is a dense herbaceous perennial grass with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Hairawn Muhly is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Hairawn Muhly will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity extending to 3 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 24 inches. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is particular about its soil conditions, with a strong preference for poor, acidic soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is native to parts of North America. It can be propagated by division.

Hairawn Muhly is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.